Township of Ocean
Automated Garbage Collection Proposal
April 2010
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the proposed collection schedule?
A. The proposed schedule would provide for once-a-week garbage collection and once-a-week
recycling collection, with both materials being picked up on the same day. Therefore, if
Monday is your scheduled pick-up day, then both garbage and recycling will be picked up on
Monday. Also, if you have placed brush in an approved container, then this material will be
collected on your regular pick-up day as well.
Bulk material would be picked up once per month, on either the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday
depending on your location. Metal pick-up would be provided on the 5th Wednesday of the
month by appointment only.
As part of the new collection system each residence will be issued two containers, one for
garbage and one for recycling. Additional containers (no limit has been established at this
time) can be leased from the Township for a one-time charge of approximately $60.00 per
container and all containers must be Township issued to insure that they are compatible with
the automated trucks.
Recycling container(s) will be a distinct color and must be used for recyclables only. The
garbage containers will also be a distinct color, but they can be used for either garbage or
brush as both materials will be taken to the landfill.
Q. The Township considered and dropped a similar proposal in October 2007. Why is it
being considered again?
A. The Township of Ocean, along with other municipalities across the state, is in the midst of
challenging economic times. Consider the following facts:
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The Township’s State Aid revenue was decreased by $300,000 in 2008, $100,000 in
2009, and $650,000 in 2010. Additional cuts are expected over the next few years as
the State’s budget deficit continues to grow.
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Revenue from interest on investments is down significantly due to the sharp decline
in short term interest rates. For example, the Township generated nearly $1.1 million
in interest income in 2007, but is anticipating less than $400,000 in 2010.
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In addition to reductions in State Aid and interest income, nearly all other major
revenue sources will either be stagnant or declining. These include items such as
court fines, building permit fees, general fees and permits for items such as fences,
pools, grading plan reviews, etc.
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The Township is entering the final year of its contract for police services with Loch
Arbour. This contract provides $165,000 in annual revenue. While the Township
will likely be given an opportunity to bid on a new long-term contract with Loch
Arbour, there is no guarantee that the Township will be successful in securing this
contract.
Given these circumstances, and the dim prospects for a quick economic recovery, the
Township believes it is imperative that it examine and consider all cost-saving measures,
even those that have been rejected in the past.
Q. I am very satisfied with the Township’s current system for collecting garbage and
would like to know why other areas/programs are not being considered for cuts so that
the current system can be kept in place?
A. The Township has enacted cost containment measures in all departments, including the
elimination of 14 positions since January 1, 2008. It is anticipated that an additional 3-5
positions will be eliminated by early 2011. The positions eliminated to date include the
following:
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1 part-time position in the Tax Assessor’s office
1 part-time position in the Construction office
1 full-time position in the Manager’s office
1 full-time position in the Public Works office
1 full-time position in Vehicle Maintenance
3 full-time positions in Sanitation
3 full-time positions in Roads
4 full-time positions in Building and Grounds
Other cost-containment measures include the following:
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elimination of the fee-based commercial garbage service for businesses; this service
had been operating at a loss in recent years
the introduction of single stream recycling, which significantly reduced collection
costs by eliminating the need for two positions and a vehicle
a shared services agreement with the Board of Education for janitorial, recycling and
landscaping services, which enabled the Township to terminate a $55,000/year
janitorial contract
a reduction of 10% for employee training expenses in the 2009 Budget; further cuts
are anticipated in the 2010 Budget
transfer of 911 dispatching for police emergencies from Monmouth County to inhouse dispatchers, which has resulted in an annual savings of $40,000
While these personnel reductions and cost-containment measures have helped slow the
growth of the overall budget, more needs to be done. It is for this reason that the automated
garbage collection system is again being considered.
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Q. I understand that the Township must consider all cost-containment measures given the
poor economy and the State’s new restrictions on property tax increases, but how much
money will the automated garbage system actually save?
A. The transition from twice a week, rear yard garbage collection to once a week, automated
collection will reduce personnel costs by over $400,000 per year once it is fully implemented.
The savings is the result of reducing the number of collection personnel from the current level
of twenty (20) to thirteen (13). It is anticipated that this reduction in personnel will be
completed by the end of 2012, primarily through attrition and transfers.
In addition to reduced personnel costs, the Township expects to increase recycling rates as a
result of increased collections (once per week versus twice per month), enhanced enforcement
of recycling regulations, and the transition to a true single stream recycling system that will
allow residents to place any type of recyclable material (glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard,
plastic, etc.) into a single container.
Finally, the Township will be implementing a rewards program that will provide “reward
points” to households that regularly participate in the Township’s curbside recycling program.
The points would be redeemable at a wide variety of local and national retailers and each
resident would have the ability to manage their points through a web-based application (other
tools will be available for those without Internet access).
For each ton of recyclable material that is diverted from the landfill there is a savings of $73.10
(by avoiding the landfill tipping charge) and the potential to generate between $10 and $35 of
revenue (per ton) depending on the market for recyclable material.
Q. Will the annual savings in operational costs be offset by the significant investment that
will be needed for the new trucks, containers, and the recycling rewards program?
A. No. The Township will not purchase a full fleet of automated garbage trucks immediately.
Initially, three automated trucks will be purchased and eight rear-loading trucks will be
retrofitted with tippers that can accommodate the new containers. The rear-loading trucks
will be replaced with automated trucks as they reach the end of their useful life. The phasein approach for the replacement of trucks also helps insure that rear loading trucks are
available in case it is determined that fully automated trucks are not practical in certain
neighborhoods. The important thing to note regarding the automated system is that the truck
replacement schedule is nearly identical regardless of whether the Township utilizes
automated trucks or rear loading trucks.
The Township will need to purchase two (2) containers for each residence at a cost of
approximately $60.00 per container. Based on these numbers the total cost to purchase the
containers is $1,100,000. However, the Township currently has $505,000 in a recycling
tonnage grant available to help offset this cost. Therefore, the net cost of the containers is
$595,000.
Q. What types of arrangements are being considered for people with disabilities who are
unable to bring the garbage container(s) to the curb?
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A. In order to receive back-yard collection of garbage and recyclables the following criteria is
used:
1. Resident must present to the Department of Public Works a letter from a licensed
physician stating that the resident is not physically capable of bringing
garbage/recycling containers to the curb.
2. A letter from the resident requesting back door pick-up of garbage/recycling
containers must be submitted with the letter from the physician.
3. If it is a temporary disability the date for return to normal services should be stated in
the letter from the Physician.
4. The person with the disability must state in the letter that there is no one else residing
in the household capable of moving the garbage/recycling containers to the curb.
5. Following a review, approval can only be given by the Director of Public Works or
his designee.
Q. I generate very little garbage and feel that a 96-gallon container will be too big for my
needs. Am I able to request a smaller container?
A. Yes. If the proposed collection system moves forward, each residence impacted by the new
system will receive a notification with detailed information on the various size containers
that are available. The standard size containers issued to each residence will be two 96gallon containers, one for garbage and one for recyclables. However, a resident can elect to
receive 65-gallon containers if they decide 96-gallon containers are either unnecessary or too
large for their storage area. It is anticipated that a notice regarding containers will be mailed
to each residence in August 2010 in order to make arrangements for a January 1, 2011
implementation.
It is important to note that the original two (2) containers issued to each residence remain the
property of the Township and would remain with the property in the case of a transfer of
ownership. The new property owners would have the ability to trade-in the existing
containers at no cost for either smaller or larger containers depending on their needs. All
containers will be numbered and electronically catalogued so that they can be accounted for
during a housing inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy.
Q. My household generates a large amount of garbage, are we permitted to put out more
than one container per week? If so, what is the limit and how do we acquire the
additional containers?
A. There will likely be a limit on the number of garbage containers that can be placed out for
each collection, but at a minimum each residence will be permitted to place two (2) garbage
containers out for each collection. Additional containers must be leased from the Township.
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Q. I live in a townhouse, have a very small garage, and am required to keep my garbage
and recycling containers in my garage. I am concerned that I will not have adequate
space to store two large containers.
A. Township representatives have visited several of the condominium and townhouse
complexes throughout the Township and have determined that at least one 96-gallon
container (for garbage) and one 65-gallon container (for recycling) can reasonably fit in the
standard garages provided at these complexes. Ultimately each individual property owner
will need to determine which containers best meet their needs.
Q. Why is the Township changing its system for collecting brush?
A. No firm recommendations or decisions have been made regarding the Township’s brush
collection system. At this point the Township is encouraging residents to containerize brush,
as it provides for a more timely collection of the material, helps keep debris out of stormwater inlets, and reduces demands on Township personnel and equipment. However, at this
time the Township is committed to establishing a quality automated collection system for
garbage and recycling and is only strongly encouraging residents to containerize brush when
possible.
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